Is it Difficult to Play Japanese Mahjong? - By: Ingrid Grzeskowiak

Japanese Mahjong is a board game that has yet again become fashionable worldwide after the first international world competition 2002. Originally coming from China to Japan the system and versions have been transformed and consist of ancient as well as modern parts. Mahjong is practised in China, Japan, Europe and America with a little different tile sets and versions. Also the manufacturing of tiles has changed since then as far as fabric is concerned.

The very first Mahjong sets were made of ivory. Since ivory is no longer available mahjong sets today are of many different materials. But there are clear efforts to at least mimic the color of ivory when manufacturing those tiles, so that there still is the visual connection with the original. The tiles are mostly either white or almost white in color. The initial tile sets however, were art works in design and every family who regularly played used to have their own brand name and outline.

Today the high quality mahjong tile sets are of animal bone which can be carved and polished to an extend that the result can easily compare to the ancient ivory tiles. More temporary sets are often made of plastic. The mahjong game has become so common over the years that also low-priced materials like plastic and resin were considered and processed. There is a drift, however to try to copy the ancient designs as closely as possible. Some modern sets were developed with recent unique designs which do not resemble the ancient tiles.

What all the mahjong sets have in common is the sound of clicking when the game is played. It reminds of sparrows clattering in the morning sun. The tiles commonly have similar sizes, 1 and 1/2 inches long and 1 inch wide. Though most tile sets come with picture designs, the pictures can vary a lot. Most mahjong sets are stored in boxes of similar material as the tiles themselves or other like wood, metal and plastic. The boxes can be excessively ornamented or simply plain functional. Today it is somewhat a question of how much somebody wants to invest for the mahjong set which determines the selection of the set and the material. There are sets for every style and wallet.

Japanese Mahjong is a board game that has yet again become accepted worldwide after the first international world competition 2002.

f you are interested in playing mahjong with your own set, please check out the following link for more information on Japanese Mahjong Set. You will be presented a Standard Japanese Mahjong Set, a Saki Anime Mahjong Set, and a
High Quality Nintendo Sparkling Jewel Mahjong Set. I. Grzeskowiak lives near Stockholm, Sweden, where she works as an online marketer and writes about various topics. She also runs a website which helps people to start earning an income online. For more details on japanese mahjong sets visit:Original Japanese Mahjong Sets